“Sinning Willfully”

[NetChaplain]

One of the primary evidences to the believer concerning the assurance that “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16), is our desire to please God. This reveals that God is “working in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).

The intention of the believer is the commendable, but yet impracticable (incapable of being performed or accomplished) desire not to sin, thus all unfolds down to the inquiry of intentional and unintentional sin, both of which are obvious to the individual. It should be easily agreed that one who is a Christian never desires to displease God, and this is what He regards, not the sin itself. For example, the issue is not the sin but the origin of its intention, in which for the believer, sin is never intentional.

This does not mean that the unintentional sin is insignificant to God or us, concerning its presence, but He does not regard the believer concerning sin’s guilt and even ensures we are no longer controlled by it (Rom 6:12, 14). Due to the Father’s work (Phil 2:13) and the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:17) within, there will never be a sin that is approved by the believer, but rather hated (Psa 97:10; Pro 8:13; 1Pe 3:11). This also means that obstinate and habitual sin will inevitably be desisted (unless God is absent), for the significance concerning the intention of sin in God’s people has always been an issue in both dispensations (Num 15:22-30; Heb 10:26).

Due to the wording, Scripture often presents passages that are somewhat obscure, resulting with difficulty in understanding, and which requires the collation of the entirety of Scripture (hermeneutics) for its intended meaning. Concerning the often phrasing of Scripture that appears to present the concept of the believer not sinning, there must be consistency with the remnant of Scripture.

For example, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin . . . and he cannot sin” (1 John 3:9). I find no confliction with Scripture when interpreting this to intend that believers do not sin willfully, e.g. whosoever is born of God does not sin willfully and cannot sin willfully. Why? “For His seed (Christ’s nature – Col 3:10; 2 Pet 1:4) remains in him . . . because he has been born of God.”

“The meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, new nature cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure.” John Gill

This answers to the reason why Scripture never refers to the people of God as “sinners.” A sinner isn’t just one who sins, but one who sins willfully. The Christian is no longer considered to be of the old nature, but of the new nature (Rom 8:9), and so everything within the Christian’s life is considered after that which is of the new nature; which answers to Paul’s awareness in Romans 7:17, 20, and gives clear view to the intention of, “bringing me into captivity” (v 23). The sins of the Christian are unintentionally committed against his will, same as one who is held captive against his will (saint), unlike when we were captive with consent (sinner).

- NC

 

[RJ]

Your true example of a beleiver wanting to please God is a sign of a true "Born Again" regenerated spirit with in you. Another is goes to the heart of your subject, willfull sining. When it comes to sining, it is impossible for a human, even a beleiver, to not sin.
I feel that one has to undertand that God is absolute in his perfection and it is not possible to please him and be part of his perfect realm.
St. Paul describes the same issue in Romans 7 where he, himself can not match up to God's requirements but in his follow-up in the first sentence of Romans 8, he explains how God, by his free grace, gave us the solution, Romans 8:1: "For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ".

A true mark of a non-believer is the lack of a regenerated, repentant heart for any sin.

 

[bguz]

Hello I'm fairly new. I was reading this and it is fascinating. Its so true about sinning we all sin. But I believe that Jesus in us, when we are TRULY born again, is more powerful than our enemy (Satan) . Amen, hallelujah

Now I also believe we give far to much credit to the devil when we say things like we CANNOT overcome the obstacles in our way( cursing, drinking, sinning, etc). I believe we, myself included, have to stop blaming and take responsibility. We as human beings, in Gods love, have freedom of choice. God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit CANNOT force anything on us. Its against what their character is, love.

I know we can be tempted but in 1 Cor 10:13 it sahys that God gives us a way to escape. We have a choice brothers and sisters. We shouldn't give excuse for sin. God bless

 

[NetChaplain]

I feel that one has to undertand that God is absolute in his perfection and it is not possible to please him and be part of his perfect realm.

Hi RJ - I think I know what you mean about being part of God's realm, if you're referring to His deity, which only the Son and Holy Spirit are also deity, but as you already know, the believer does please Him in Christ, by whom we are "partakers."

St. Paul describes the same issue in Romans 7 where he, himself can not match up to God's requirements

The requirements of God now of course is on Christ (as you've indicated in Rom 8), in which the believer is the recipient.

A true mark of a non-believer is the lack of a regenerated, repentant heart for any sin.

Amen!

 

[RJ]

Hello I'm fairly new. I was reading this and it is fascinating. Its so true about sinning we all sin. But I believe that Jesus in us, when we are TRULY born again, is more powerful than our enemy (Satan) . Amen, hallelujah

Now I also believe we give far to much credit to the devil when we say things like we CANNOT overcome the obstacles in our way( cursing, drinking, sinning, etc). I believe we, myself included, have to stop blaming and take responsibility. We as human beings, in Gods love, have freedom of choice. God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit CANNOT force anything on us. Its against what their character is, love.

I know we can be tempted but in 1 Cor 10:13 it sahys that God gives us a way to escape. We have a choice brothers and sisters. We shouldn't give excuse for sin. God bless

• The subject is "Willful Sining".
• As a "Born Again Christian", there is no willful sinning here!
• But sin still exists. Are you void of things like doubt or negativety? Of course not and, none the less, they seperate us from God.
• Romans 8:1.....no condemnation for what?.....No condemnation for sining!
• Free from the consequences of sin yes but free from sin no.
• Willful sining, unrepentent sin, a sign of not being regenerated is the sign of a true non-believer not of the true Christian.

 

[NetChaplain]

Now I also believe we give far to much credit to the devil

Hi B - Thanks for your reply. True, we give the Enemy too much credit for our blame, when there is a closer enemy than him--our "old man," which is the still indwelling sin nature. I believe the devil has to get to us through our old man, and that the Spirit of God reaches us through our "new man."

The blame for sin is always on the one sinning - "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust" (Jam 1:14). Thanks to God that those in Christ are not held responsible concerning guilt, but for learning to grow from understanding sin and God's will concerning it in us.

God's blessings to your Family!

 

[RJ]

Hi RJ - I think I know what you mean about being part of God's realm, if you're referring to His deity, which only the Son and Holy Spirit are also deity, but as you already know, the believer does please Him in Christ, by whom we are "partakers."

The requirements of God now of course is on Christ (as you've indicated in Rom 8), in which the believer is the recipient.

Amen!

I feel that one has to undertand that God is absolute in his perfection and it is not possible to please him and be part of his perfect realm.

• I think we are saying the same thing: Never ourselves but through Christ in us is he pleased. God calls us blameless, holy and righteous...not us but the one who is in us.

 

[NetChaplain]

be part of his perfect realm.

Hi RJ - I appreciate the applicability of your posts, for example in this case, I believe we cannot be any more a part of God than we are now, even when we join finally later with Him in our eternal body. Our portion now with God is as much as His Son's (deity excepted) is.

This is the fullness of Christ's efficacy in His expiation for the believer, that as the Father thinks of His Son--He now and forever thinks the same of us! Hence the full intention of being "accepted in the Beloved (Jesus) - Eph 1:6. The sole difference then will be the new body (Rom 8:23), because we in our spirit will not be any more saved than we are now! This fullness cannot get any more fuller, just understood and appreciated more all the time.

 

[Brighthouse]

This brings a most interesting and sometimes very heated subject which is sinless perfection. I will not take any sides on this one!! LOL But have witnessed many heated battles over it myself! For me,I know I sin,i also know the Blood of Jesus covers those sins,which does not give me the right to sin on purpose! But rather the grace not to condemn myself when i am still a work in progress. ( phil 1:6)

For if it were impossible to sin for the believer, we would have no need to become perfected hehe. A new creature in Christ, must also learn how to act as that new creature in my humble opinion. For we know many who claim Jesus,but do not understand how to follow Jesus. Many of you do understand! Perfection in love is attained and made perfect through our Jesus,not our self. Same as wisdom etc...( 1 cor 1:30-31)

In claiming Jesus as Lord of our life,does not make the flesh obey. LOL We have to discipline it!( 1 cor 9:27) Our brother Paul put it best i think when he said this!( phil 3:12-14) I for one agree with this revelation. For in believing I have gained much grace,which is the gospel,so then i have much to give as well! ( gal 1:6-10!!) So thanks brother NETChaplin for the reminder!! And for brother RJ for his thoughts as well!

 

[NetChaplain]

This brings a most interesting and sometimes very heated subject which is sinless perfection.

Hi BH - Your understanding is the same as mine concerning the guilt of sin, that it's "covered," that is, the guilt is removed; not because our sins are unintentional, but because of the Blood of the Cross.

For "by works a man is justified" (Jam 2:24), e.g. the doings of the believer manifest or show the regeneration of the Spirit.

Not "justified" as in Romans 3:26 (to make or render one righteous), but to reveal or display one is righteous, as shown below:

Definition 2, 3; http://www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1344&t=KJV

 

[Timothy M]

One of the primary evidences to the believer concerning the assurance that “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16), is our desire to please God. This reveals that God is “working in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).

The intention of the believer is the commendable, but yet impracticable (incapable of being performed or accomplished) desire not to sin, thus all unfolds down to the inquiry of intentional and unintentional sin, both of which are obvious to the individual. It should be easily agreed that one who is a Christian never desires to displease God, and this is what He regards, not the sin itself. For example, the issue is not the sin but the origin of its intention, in which for the believer, sin is never intentional.

This does not mean that the unintentional sin is insignificant to God or us, concerning its presence, but He does not regard the believer concerning sin’s guilt and even ensures we are no longer controlled by it (Rom 6:12, 14). Due to the Father’s work (Phil 2:13) and the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:17) within, there will never be a sin that is approved by the believer, but rather hated (Psa 97:10; Pro 8:13; 1Pe 3:11). This also means that obstinate and habitual sin will inevitably be desisted (unless God is absent), for the significance concerning the intention of sin in God’s people has always been an issue in both dispensations (Num 15:22-30; Heb 10:26).

Due to the wording, Scripture often presents passages that are somewhat obscure, resulting with difficulty in understanding, and which requires the collation of the entirety of Scripture (hermeneutics) for its intended meaning. Concerning the often phrasing of Scripture that appears to present the concept of the believer not sinning, there must be consistency with the remnant of Scripture.

For example, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin . . . and he cannot sin” (1 John 3:9). I find no confliction with Scripture when interpreting this to intend that believers do not sin willfully, e.g. whosoever is born of God does not sin willfully and cannot sin willfully. Why? “For His seed (Christ’s nature – Col 3:10; 2 Pet 1:4) remains in him . . . because he has been born of God.”

“The meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, new nature cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure.” John Gill

This answers to the reason why Scripture never refers to the people of God as “sinners.” A sinner isn’t just one who sins, but one who sins willfully. The Christian is no longer considered to be of the old nature, but of the new nature (Rom 8:9), and so everything within the Christian’s life is considered after that which is of the new nature; which answers to Paul’s awareness in Romans 7:17, 20, and gives clear view to the intention of, “bringing me into captivity” (v 23). The sins of the Christian are unintentionally committed against his will, same as one who is held captive against his will (saint), unlike when we were captive with consent (sinner).

- NC

I disagree with, there being no will to sin after being saved that can't be true because I have been born again. no doubt about it. I am 30 I haven't a wife I have not masturbated since being saved. Recently I had a girl over my house and honestly I was out of control I new what I was doing and I did it anyway. I was punished immediately. And now I feel absolutely terrible. I made a huge bad choice surely this doesn't mean I am now lost

 

[KingJ]

I disagree with, there being no will to sin after being saved that can't be true because I have been born again. no doubt about it. I am 30 I haven't a wife I have not masturbated since being saved. Recently I had a girl over my house and honestly I was out of control I new what I was doing and I did it anyway. I was punished immediately. And now I feel absolutely terrible. I made a huge bad choice surely this doesn't mean I am now lost

If you believe you are not lost, then you actually agree with Net. He would say the fact that you want to repent is evidence of a new nature that hates sin. A sinner does not want to repent. IE ''ner'' on the end = continuing willfully.

I would say that if you commit a mortal sin, you can be certain that you were never saved in the first place. Venial sins Paul mentions in Rom 7:15, when he says ''he sins but he hates it''. He was not referring to his past sins of killing Christians .

Hence, you just need to judge yourself harshly. Motivation behind a sin is everything.

 

[RJ]

I disagree with, there being no will to sin after being saved that can't be true because I have been born again. no doubt about it. I am 30 I haven't a wife I have not masturbated since being saved. Recently I had a girl over my house and honestly I was out of control I new what I was doing and I did it anyway. I was punished immediately. And now I feel absolutely terrible. I made a huge bad choice surely this doesn't mean I am now lost

I think that what goes along with the "willful sin" is that it is coupled with no regret.
If you were not "Born Again", there is no regret, you wouldn't feel "absolutely terrible"....you wouldn't even know it was a sin, much less the feeling of remorse or repentance.
The will to sin or, the" lack" of will to not sin is a problem but, it does not mean you are not saved. See Romans 7 and how St. Paul struggled with doing right and, then, look at his answer in Romans 8:1.
Rejoice in the fact that you acknowledge your sinful act and keep trying to do better!

 

[NetChaplain]

I disagree with, there being no will to sin after being saved

Hi TM - Thanks for your reply and sincerity. It must be understood what we consider to be the meaning of "will" when we use it. My use of the word "will" is not the same as "desire," i.e. it's God's will that unbelievers perish, but not His desire, thus when a believer is enlightened concerning a wrong or sin, his desire will always be against it in the outcome; thus a repetition of the same sin without turning from the act of it evinces lack of rebirth.

 

[B-A-C]

y use of the word "will" is not the same as "desire," i.e. it's God's will that unbelievers perish, but not His desire,

Huh? Say what?
In Matt 18:14; it is the "will" of the Father that none [of these] should perish...
In 1 Tim 2:4; it is the "desire" of God that all men be saved....
In 2 Pet 3:9; It is God's "wish" that none should perish.

A quick study in the Greek of these words might be revealing.

 

[RJ]

In Matt 18:14; it is the "will" of the Father that none [of these] should perish...
In 1 Tim 2:4; it is the "desire" of God that all men be saved....
In 2 Pet 3:9; It is God's "wish" that none should perish.

That is right.
His will, desire and wish that none perish and he allowed Jesus to die for all. But he is no puppet-master and allows free choice. Therefore, under New Testament Grace, Believers live and UN-believers perish.

 

[Timothy M]

Thank you all for your prompt replies. I am still learning the ways of the lord. It is very difficult for me to over come my sexual desires I have sinned and i really don't want to continue, but I'm afraid that I will commit this same sin again in the future. when I have told the lord I will never do this again. how does one overcome sin. Do any of you have this problem

 

[RJ]

but I'm afraid that I will commit this same sin again in the future. when I have told the lord I will never do this again. how does one overcome sin.

@Timothy M , don't be shocked, you may very well commit this sin again but, the best point here is that you struggle...a clear sign that God is working in your life, otherwise you would care less, much less, even think about it as a sin.
I have said this before but, here it is again...Read Romans 7 and see where St. Paul, himself, struggle with doing what was right. Remember this, we humans want to categorize our sin..." the Nasty Five" or the "Dirty Dozen" but, God looks at all sin as the same....each one of them separate us from God.
They key here is what he has given to the Christian and as Paul says in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ"!
I know it is hard to believe but, God has offered this to you without keeping any records. Praise him and thank him that you see your sin and do not like it. God said, you will have your trials and tribulation and struggling with all sorts of sin is part of this.
You having remorse and a repentant heart is a true sign that he is working in your life.
I have and continue to struggle with all sorts of sin, but I have found, it is true that he is faithful and works in HIS own time. So, be patient, read your Bible, join a GOOD church and keep praying and asking him to heal you and I promise, as he has done in me, in his own time he will!...Keep the faith!

 

[NetChaplain]

Thank you all for your prompt replies. I am still learning the ways of the lord. It is very difficult for me to over come my sexual desires I have sinned and i really don't want to continue, but I'm afraid that I will commit this same sin again in the future. when I have told the lord I will never do this again. how does one overcome sin. Do any of you have this problem

If you're His you will eventually loose the desire for all wrongs, "because it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13); plus the Spirit will eventually cause you live accordingly (Gal 5:17).

 

[NetChaplain]

@Timothy M , don't be shocked, you may very well commit this sin again but, the best point here is that you struggle...a clear sign that God is working in your life, otherwise you would care less, much less, even think about it as a sin.
I have said this before but, here it is again...Read Romans 7 and see where St. Paul, himself, struggle with doing what was right. Remember this, we humans want to categorize our sin..." the Nasty Five" or the "Dirty Dozen" but, God looks at all sin as the same....each one of them separate us from God.
They key here is what he has given to the Christian and as Paul says in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ"!
I know it is hard to believe but, God has offered this to you without keeping any records. Praise him and thank him that you see your sin and do not like it. God said, you will have your trials and tribulation and struggling with all sorts of sin is part of this.
You having remorse and a repentant heart is a true sign that he is working in your life.
I have and continue to struggle with all sorts of sin, but I have found, it is true that he is faithful and works in HIS own time. So, be patient, read your Bible, join a GOOD church and keep praying and asking him to heal you and I promise, as he has done in me, in his own time he will!...Keep the faith!

Good stuff RJ!